And the Red Devils boss, whose men move back into second, took a swipe and David de Gea before watching his side steamroller The Eagles in the last 35 minutes.

The boss said: ‘I cannot tell you half of the things I told my team at half-time because there would be lots of bleeping on television.”

Nemanja Matic struck a sensational, first-ever goal in the 91st minute after United had come back from 2-0 down after 48 minutes. Goals from Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku had set up the pulsating climax.

Andros Townsend put Roy Hodgson’s side ahead on 11 minutes with a deflected first before Patrick Van Aanholt hit a superb second.

Manager Jose Mourinho of Manchester United watches from the bench against Palace (Image: John Peters)

Mourinho was booted a water bottle into the crowd as he vented his frustration at his struggling stars.

He later hit out at his defenders for the second goal which he feared would lead to a first-ever Premier League defeat for United to Palace.

He added: “That disgraceful, childish second goal changed everything. But the players kept an amazing attitude.

David de Gea of Manchester United shows his disappointment at conceding a goal (Image: John Peters)

‘You always need that little bit of luck to win a match in the last few minutes. Sometimes the winner is the one who deserves the congratulations but I think Roy Hodgson did everything right.”

David De Gea pulled off yet another of his outstanding saves, this time to deny Christian Benteke with 11 minutes to go.

But Mourinho criticised his keeper for not doing more to prevent Palace’s second.

He said: "David De Gea had to do better with the second goal. He is the best, no doubt, but he had to do better.

"We want to finish second, but it is huge pressure for us to finish in the top four. Now we have a little pillow.”

Defeat for Palace saw them stay in the drop zone ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.

But defiant Hodgson - still with nine players injured - has refused to throw in the towel. He said: “We're in the relegation zone. After seven games everyone told me we were relegated.

“At the moment we are in the zone, but not relegated. We were eight points adrift, and now we're one point adrift. I don't need convincing that the team has qualities.

“The team has determination and enormous fighting spirit. Who knows? Maybe some of these last minute goals and fortunate moments will eventually fall our way as the season unfolds.

“If we can get some of the players of quality and experience who are currently in the treatment room back on the field, who knows? It would certainly hope the senior players who are doing a wonderful job at the moment in their efforts.”